A case in Pune has brought renewed attention to the issue of informed consent in surgical care. Police have registered an FIR against four doctors and a hospital staff member after a woman alleged that her uterus was removed without her permission during treatment for a uterine fibroid. Authorities confirmed that the complaint was filed at Manjri police station in February 2026, and an investigation is currently in progress.
According to the complaint, the woman was diagnosed with a small uterine fibroid following a sonography in 2023. She later approached a private hospital in the Manjri area in September 2025 for treatment. As per her statement to police, she had been informed that doctors would remove the fibroid using a minimally invasive technique.
The woman was admitted on September 14, 2025, and underwent surgery the next day. She was discharged on September 17. However, she reportedly continued to experience symptoms and sought further evaluation. During follow-up and review of medical records, she alleged that she learned her uterus had been removed.
Following the complaint, Pune police booked four doctors and one staff member associated with Sai Care Multi-Speciality Hospital. Officials stated that the FIR was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after a preliminary review.
Police sources indicated that no arrests had been reported at the time of the latest updates. Investigators have begun collecting statements and examining clinical documentation related to the surgery.
In her statement, the complainant maintained that she had consented only to fibroid removal and not to hysterectomy. She also alleged that she did not receive a clear explanation when she later questioned the medical team.
Before registering the FIR, authorities reviewed hospital records, consent forms, and operative details. Police also sought an opinion from a district-level expert medical panel, which reportedly pointed toward medical negligence. Based on this preliminary assessment, the criminal case was initiated.
Police officials have said the inquiry is continuing. The investigation includes verification of consent documentation, medical indications for the surgery, and statements from the treating doctors and hospital personnel. Further legal action will depend on the outcome of the probe.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that commonly affect women of reproductive age. Management options vary and may include medical therapy, myomectomy (fibroid removal), or other minimally invasive approaches.
Hysterectomy, which involves removal of the uterus, is generally reserved for specific clinical indications such as severe symptoms, large or multiple fibroids, or when fertility preservation is not required. Standard medical practice requires explicit informed consent before performing a hysterectomy because the procedure permanently ends the ability to conceive.1
Informed consent is a core component of ethical and legal medical practice. It requires that patients receive clear information about the nature of the procedure, alternatives, risks, and expected outcomes before agreeing to surgery. Proper documentation of consent is essential, particularly for irreversible procedures.
As the Pune investigation proceeds, the case underscores the importance of transparent doctor–patient communication and strict adherence to consent protocols in clinical care.
1. Bulun, Serdar E., Ping Yin, Jing Wei, Ayesha Zuberi, Takako Iizuka, Takashi Suzuki, Pooja Saini, et al. 2025. “Uterine Fibroids.” Physiological Reviews 105 (4): 1947–1988. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00010.2024.
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